IPMS South Africa - Dassault Mirage F1 AZ / CZ

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Dassault Mirage F1 AZ / CZ

Written by Anton Dyason - IPMS SA Media Group
Sunday, 16 January 2000
Page 10 of 18 Various Mirage F1 AZ - No 235 "Fastest Dairy Truck" See Colour Schemes for more info. New AZ cockpit. The highest level of technological advanced systems, developed by South Africa's local aviation industry are found in the Rooivalk. Experienced gained in the Rooivalk's avionics, set the path for similar systems to be used in fighter aircraft. The systems were designed on a generic basis for easy installation into any fighter aircraft. A Mirage F1 AZ was used due to the small area available to house the new equipment. Further, the electrical outlet and cooling problems made the AZ a real challenge. In order to achieve a new high tech pilot office, futuristic systems were needed with very advanced HMI (Human Machine Interface). It is often reported that this was to be an upgrade for the other SAAF F1s then in service. But the project was only intended to be a feasibly study to ascertain South Africa's capability in this field. It would also be to SA's advantage if the local industry could provide local avionics for future aircraft. In doing so local currency would be preserved and significant progress would be made in high technology. A number of civilian companies were subcontracted under the main contractor ATE. The project was administrated by Directorate Engineering under Maj Dirk de Villiers of the SAAF. AZ no 235 in the original intermediate colour scheme. Note night formation strip behind cockpit. Systems developed, included advanced GPS, GAINS (GPS Aided Inertial Navigation System), new mission computers with in flight update ability, entire glass cockpit instrumentation etc. Interestingly the aircraft was fitted with new EW sensors and even night formation strips. Part of the proposed upgrade was the fitment of the Martin Baker Mk10 ejection seat.This was however not fitted to the avionics demonstrators. A successful flight test programme was completed. Aircraft used in the programme were no 235 and later 233. Experience gained was incorporated into the cockpit instruments of the Pilatus Astra of the SAAF. In the end the SAAF did not select the avionics upgrade and decided on an entirely new fighter aircraft type. However, the Russian engine, avionics and new missile upgrades would've made the apgraded F1 a formidable modern aircraft. ATE did found a successful export customer in the Spanish Air Force. The entire Spanish F1s were upgraded by ATE with the new South African developed avionics during 2000. Mirage F1AZ, no 235 is known as the "World's Fastest Dairy Truck", due to the colour scheme of the aircraft. This aircraft was used as a technology demonstrator and for systems testing of a locally developed avionics suite. Currently on display at SAAF Museum Swartkops. However, the avionics suite and engine are removed from the aircraft. << Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
Last Updated ( Monday, 12 February 2007 )